Koloa’s Tyler Yates might be switching leagues, but he won’t be traveling too far on his next Major League Baseball assignment. The Baltimore Orioles invited the former Kaua’i High School baseball standout to spring training. Yates, who was released by
Koloa’s Tyler Yates might be switching leagues, but he won’t be traveling too far on his next Major League Baseball assignment.
The Baltimore Orioles invited the former Kaua’i High School baseball standout to spring training.
Yates, who was released by the New York Mets is considered a non-roster invitee for Baltimore.
Yates’ first workout is scheduled for Thursday, February 16.
Baltimore finished u0p second to last in the American League East last season, 21 games behind the Yankees.
Meanwhile, the Mets, who were playing in a much weaker division, ended up seven games out of first-place in the National League East.
Considered the hardest thrower in the Mets’ Spring Training in 2004, Yates underwent rotator cuff surgery in Feb. 2005 and missed the entire season. His age (28), his shoulder, his inexperience (46 2/3 innings in the big leagues), and his control (25 walks) make Yates’ future cloudy at best. He already had undergone Tommy John surgery in 2002. He retained his velocity through that procedure, but nobody knows what to expect after a second major operation.
His career stats include a record of 2-4, a 6.36 ERA in 21 games (7 starts), with 35 strikeouts.
Yates’ younger brother Kirby, is a pitcher for Yavapai Community College.
